Net Neutrality: Measuring the Problem, Assessing the Legal Risks

Network neutrality is a growing policy controversy. Traffic management techniques affect not only high-speed, high-money content, but by extension all other content too. Internet regulators and users may tolerate much more discrimination in the interests of innovation. For instance, in the absence of regulatory oversight, ISPs could use Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) to block some content altogether, if they decide it is not to the benefit of ISPs, copyright holders, parents or the government. ISP blocking is currently widespread in controlling spam email, and in some countries in blocking sexually graphic illegal images. In 1999 this led to scrutiny of foreclosure of Instant Messaging and video and cable-telephony horizontal merger. Fourteen years later, there were in 2013 net neutrality laws implemented in Slovenia, the Netherlands, Chile and Finland, regulation in the United States and Canada , co-regulation in Norway, and self-regulation in Japan, the United Kingdom and many other European countries . Both Germany and France in mid-2013 debated new net neutrality legislation, and the European Commission announced on 11 September 2013 that it would aim to introduce legislation in early 2014. This paper analyses these legal developments, and in particular the difficulty in assessing reasonable traffic management and ‘specialized’ (i.e. unregulated) faster services in both EU and US law. It also assesses net neutrality law against the international legal norms for user privacy and freedom of expression

Characterisation of anatomical properties of the human basal ganglia using magnetic resonance imaging

The detailed in-vivo characterization of subcortical brain structures is essential not only to understand the basic organizational principles of the healthy brain but also for the study of the involvement of the basal ganglia in brain disorders. The particular tissue properties of basal ganglia - most importantly their high iron content, strongly affect the contrast of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images, hampering the accurate automated assessment of these regions. This technical challenge explains the substantial controversy in the literature about the magnitude, directionality and neurobiological interpretation of basal ganglia structural changes estimated from MRI and computational anatomy techniques. My scientific project addresses the pertinent need for accurate automated delineation of basal ganglia using two complementary strategies: ? Empirical testing of the utility of novel imaging protocols to provide superior contrast in the basal ganglia and to quantify brain tissue properties; ? Improvement of the algorithms for the reliable automated detection of basal ganglia and thalamus Previous research demonstrated that MRI protocols based on magnetization transfer (MT) saturation maps provide optimal grey-white matter contrast in subcortical structures compared with the widely used Tl-weighted (Tlw) images (Helms et al., 2009). Under the assumption of a direct impact of brain tissue properties on MR contrast my first study addressed the question of the mechanisms underlying the regional specificities effect of the basal ganglia. I used established whole-brain voxel-based methods to test for grey matter volume differences between MT and Tlw imaging protocols with an emphasis on subcortical structures. I applied a regression model to explain the observed grey matter differences from the regionally specific impact of brain tissue properties on the MR contrast. The results of my first project prompted further methodological developments to create adequate priors for the basal ganglia and thalamus allowing optimal automated delineation of these structures in a probabilistic tissue classification framework. I established a standardized workflow for manual labelling of the basal ganglia, thalamus and cerebellar dentate to create new tissue probability maps from quantitative MR maps featuring optimal grey-white matter contrast in subcortical areas. The validation step of the new tissue priors included a comparison of the classification performance with the existing probability maps. In my third project I continued investigating the factors impacting automated brain tissue classification that result in interpretational shortcomings when using Tlw MRI data in the framework of computational anatomy. While the intensity in Tlw images is predominantly

Human Capital Composition and Economic Growth at a Regional Level

With this paper we build a two-region model where both innovation and imitation are performed. In particular imitation takes the form of technological spillovers that lagging regions may exploit given certain human capital conditions. We show how the high skill content of each region’s workforce (rather than the average human capital stock) is crucial to determine convergence towards the income level of the leader region and to exploit the technological spillovers coming from the frontier. The same applies to bureaucratic/institutional quality which are conductive to higher growth in the long run. We test successfully our theoretical result over Spanish regions for the period between 1960 and 1997. We exploit system GMM estimators which allow us to correctly deal with endogeneity problems and small sample bias.

Caracterização de amostras comerciais de vermicomposto de esterco bovino e avaliação da influência do pH e do tempo na adsorção de Co(II), Zn(II) and Cu(II)

Some commercial samples of vermicompost from bovine manure (humus) were characterized by thermogravimetry with respect to humidity, organic matter and ash contents, the percentages of which range from 6.55 to 5.35%, 53.01 to 69.96% and 46.44 to 66,14%, respectively. The capacity of adsorption of Cu2+, Zn2+ and Co2+ ions by these samples has been evaluated as a function of pH and time. The contents of several metal ions in the original vermicompost samples have been determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after digestion in a microwave oven. The high nitrogen content suggests that the earthworms used in the maturation procedure lead to an efficient degradation of organic matter. The metal retention was affected by both pH and adsorption time. The results also show that adsorption follows the order Cu2+ > Zn2+ > Co2+.

The influence of substratum type and nutrient supply on biofilm organic matter utilization in streams

We investigated the effect of benthic substratum type (sand and rocks) and nutrient supply (N and P) on biofilm structure and heterotrophic metabolism in a field experiment in a forested Mediterranean stream (Fuirosos). Rock and sand colonization and biofilm formation was intensively studied for 44 d at two stream reaches: control and experimental (continuous addition of phosphate, ammonia, and nitrate). Structural (C, N, and polysaccharide content and bacterial and chlorophyll density) and metabolic biofilm parameters (b-glucosidase, peptidase, and phosphatase enzyme activities) were analyzed throughout the colonization process. The epilithic biofilm (grown on rocks) had a higher peptidase activity at the impacted reach, together with a higher algal and bacterial biomass. The positive relationship between the peptidase activity per cell and the N content of the epilithic biofilm suggested that heterotrophic utilization of proteinaceous compounds from within the biofilm was occurring. In contrast, nutrient addition caused the epipsammic biofilm (grown on sand) to exhibit lower b-glucosidase and phosphatase activities, without a significant increase in bacterial and algal biomass. The differential response to nutrient addition was related to different structural characteristics within each biofilm. The epipsammic biofilm had a constant and high C:N ratio (22.7) throughout the colonization. The epilithic biofilm had a higher C:N ratio at the beginning of the colonization (43.2) and evolved toward a more complex structure (high polysaccharide content and low C:N ratio) during later stages. The epipsammic biofilm was a site for the accumulation and degradation of organic matter: polysaccharides and organic phosphorus compounds had higher degradation activities

Redução de vitamina C em suco de caju (Anacardium occidentale L.) industrializado e cajuína

Vitamin C degradation was evaluated in industrialized cashew juice of high pulp content and in cajuina by the method of Tillmans during eleven days of storage after the opening of the flask. For recently opened juices, vitamin C was found in the concentration range of 112 to 170 mg for 100 g of juice. The degradation of vitamin C in industrialized cashew juices changes when different additives are used. All of the cajuinas presented a vitamin C content below that specified on the label.

Otimização dos parâmetros de produção de hidrolisados protéicos enzimáticos utilizando pescado de baixo valor comercial

The enzymatic modification of proteins has been widely studied with the aim of add value to low commercial value fish. The objective of this work was to evaluate and optimize the parameters involved in the production process of an enzymatic protein hydrolyzed with high protein content. The results showed that for Alcalase the most significant parameters were temperature, pH and substrate concentration and for Flavourzyme were pH, substrate concentration and enzyme concentration. It was obtained for Alcalase a predictive model for the recovered nitrogen and for Flavourzyme a predictive model for the hydrolysis degree.

Efeito de substâncias empregadas para remoção de cobre sobre o teor de compostos secundários da cachaça

High copper content is of great concern among producers of sugar-cane spirits who frequently use filters instead of cleaning the stills. This study compared the efficiency of activated carbon, ion-exchange-polymeric resin, and activated-carbon/iron-oxide magnetic composite for copper reduction without removing excessive organic compounds that are important for the beverage's quality. Resin was the most efficient copper adsorbent, removing fewer organic compounds. The composite also removed copper; however, it also removed large amounts of organic compounds. Activated carbon didn't remove sufficient copper to reduce its concentration to less than 5 g L-1, and it removed large amounts of higher alcohols and esters.

Obtenção e avaliação de concentrados proteicos de corvina (Micropogonias furnieri) processados por extração química

The objective of this study was to obtain and evaluate physicochemical and functional properties of protein concentrates from Micropogonias furnieri produced by pH shifting process, using alkaline and acid solubilization followed by isoelectric precipitation of muscle proteins. The concentrates showed high protein content and the maxim solubility for the minced (96.5%), for the alkaline (97.5%) and acid (93.7%) extraction was obtained at pH 11.0. The water holding capacity of the alkaline concentrate resulted in a value same or superior to water holding capacity of the acid concentrate in all investigated values of pH. The oil holding capacity of alkaline and acid concentrates showed no significant difference between the studied processes.

Distribuição de Hg total e suas associações com diferentes suportes geoquímicos em sedimentos marinhos da margem continental brasileira: Bacia de Campos - Rio de Janeiro

Mercury distribution and geochemical support on the Continental Margin was evaluated at the Campos Basin, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The average concentrations for all analyzed elements were, respectively, 20 ± 5 ng g-1 (Hg); 30 ± 14 mg g-1 (Al); 16 ± 6 mg g-1 (Fe), and 254 ± 83 µg g-1 (Mn). Silt and clay content, total carbonate and Hg, and organic carbon increased with depth. Finally, the relationship between Hg and silt clay showed significant positive correlation. Total Hg concentrations are the background level described primarily (~40 ng g-1).

Produção e caracterização de espumas cerâmicas obtidas a partir de lodo de anodização de alumínio

Ceramic foams were produced from a sludge generated in the aluminum anodizing process by using an industrial polyurethane foam (replication method) with open cell sizes of 10 ± 5 ppi (porosity = 97%) which were impregnated with suspensions containing 50-61 wt.% alumina, 1 wt.% citric acid, 6 wt.% bentonite and fired at 1600 ºC for 2 h. The aluminum anodizing sludge shows a high alumina content (87.5 wt.%) and a low particle size (~1.7 mm) after calcination and milling. The obtained filters show porosity of approximately 70%, filtration capability (mass water flow) of 1.7 kg/s and mechanical strength under compression of 2.40 MPa.

Chemical composition, circadian rhythm and antibacterial activity of essential oils of piper divaricatum: a new source of safrole

The essential oils from leaves, stems and fruits of Piper divaricatum were analyzed by GC-MS. The tissues showed high safrole content: leaves (98%), fruits (87%) and stems (83%), with yields of 2.0, 4.8 and 1.7%, respectively. This is a new alternative source of safrole, a compound widely used as a flavoring agent and insecticide. The leaf's oil showed antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria while safrole was active against Salmonella Typhimurium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, the study of circadian rhythm of the safrole concentration in the essential oils of leaves showed a negligible variation of 92 to 98%.

Síntese e caracterização de hidrogéis compósitos a partir de copolímeros acrilamida-acrilato e caulim: efeito da constituição de diferentes caulins do nordeste brasileiro

Superabsorbent hydrogels based on poly (acrylamide-co-acrylate) and different kaolins, were prepared by free-radical aqueous copolymerization. FTIR and WAXS techniques were employed for characterization of a series of hydrogels, obtained by varying the percentage of clay, crosslinking and constitution of kaolin. The water absorbency at equilibrium (Weq) decreased with increasing clay content and the amount of crosslinking agent. Superabsorbent hydrogel (Weq > 1084 g H2O/g gel) was obtained as 10 wt% of white kaolin and 0.05 mol% of crosslinking agent were used. The hydrogel proved sensitive to pH variation and the presence of salts.

PRODUÇÃO DE BIODIESEL A PARTIR DE ÁCIDOS GRAXOS PROVENIENTES DO REFINO DE ÓLEOS VEGETAIS VIA CATÁLISE ÁCIDA HETEROGENEA E MICRO-ONDAS

This work presents the biofuel production results of the esterification of fatty acids (C12-C18) and high-acid-content waste vegetable oils from different soap stocks (soybean, palm, and coconut) with methanol, ethanol, and butanol by acid catalysis. We used Amberlyst-35 (A35) sulfonic resin as a heterogeneous acid catalyst and p-toluenesulfonic acid as a homogeneous catalyst for comparison. Both the heterogeneous (A35) and homogeneous (p-toluenesulfonic acid) reactions were performed with 5% w/w of catalyst. The final products were analyzed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). The homogeneous catalyzed esterification of fatty acids with methanol, ethanol, and butanol produced esters with yields higher than 90%. In the reaction with fatty acids and methanol catalyzed by A35, the best results were achieved with lauric acid and methanol, with a yield of 97%. An increase in the hydrocarbon chain decreased the rate of conversion and yield for stearic acid with methanol, which was 90%. Maximum biodiesel production was achieved from coconut and soybean soap stocks and methanol (96%-98%), which showed conversions very close to those obtained from their respective fatty acids. Microwave irradiation reduced the reaction time from 6 to 1 h in the esterification reaction of fatty acids with butanol.

CROMATOGRAFIA POR INTERAÇÕES HIDROFILICAS (HILIC): ESTADO DA ARTE E APLICAÇÕES

Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) has been gaining increased attention for its effective separation of highly polar compounds, which include carbohydrates, amino acids, pharmaceutical compounds, proteins, glycoproteins, nucleosides, etc. Polar compounds are usually poorly retained on reverse-phase liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) columns or have poor solubility in the apolar mobile phase of normal-phase high performance liquid chromatography (NP-HPLC). Since HILIC uses organic solvents such as ACN or MeOH ( > 70%), also used in RP-HPLC and polar stationary phases similar to NP-HPLC (bare silica, diol, amino, amide, saccharide, zwitterionic stationary phases, etc.), it represents a hybrid of the two separation modes. The high organic content in the MP leads to good compatibility with mass spectrometry (MS), increasing the detectivity. This review describes the fundamentals of HILIC and highlights some interesting applications.